Inexpensive Hotel and Motel Rooms

Key West: You don’t need an excuse to visit this funky city, but a good time to go would be July 15-20, when the city stages its 38th annual Hemingway Days. It’s a celebration of the author’s works and lifestyle, with literary events, a theatrical premiere, fishing tournament and a good bit of beer-drinking. The most celebrated event is Sloppy Joe’s Look-Alike Contest, when grizzled men vie for the honor of looking most like the author. Look-alike events, 305-296-2388. Literary events, 305-294-0320 or www.hemingwaydays.org.

Daytona Beach: Summer’s biggest racing event takes place July 3-5, during Coke Zero 400 Weekend at the famous Daytona Beach International Speedway. On July 3 the Brumos Porsche 250 will roar around the oval and on July 4 comes the Winn Dixie 250. The major race takes place July 5, when the famed Coca Cola 400 (formerly the Firecracker 400 or Pepsi 400) is run. Speedway information, 386-254-2700; ticket office, 800-PIT-SHOP or www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.

Orlando: Events range from mild to wild during the 12 days of the 17th annual Orlando International Fringe Festival May 15-26. All facets in this highly unconventional celebration of theater, art and music are uncensored and mostly adult, but there is a kid-friendly fringe tour as well. 407-648-0077, www.orlandofringe.org. Tickets, $5-$10.

Jacksonville: The human body is always a fascinating subject, and a most interesting exhibit will be mounted at the Cummer Museum of Art July 10-Sept. 28. Scalpel to Sketch: The Science and Beauty of Medical Illustation at Mayo Clinic portrays the human form in various media, presents animated voyages inside the body and takes a rare look at the unique anatomy of conjoined twins. 904-356-6857, www.cummer.org. General admission, $10.

Also see Tampa, below.

Tampa: A new permanent exhibition on the human body opens at the Museum of Science & Industry in May. Called The Amazing You, it gives visitors an insight into three life stages: the beginning of life, childhood and adolescence. 813-987-6000, www.mosi.org/theamazingyou.html. Admission, adults $20.95, $16.95 ages 2-12.

Also opening in Tampa this spring: Gator Falls, a water flume ride at Lowry Park Zoo that floats by a new rare albino alligator exhibit. 813-935-8552, www.lowryparkzoo.com. Admission, adult $18.95, $14.50 ages 3-11.

Cape Canaveral: Always a stunning sight are rocket launches at Kennedy Space Center. Next space shuttle is scheduled to go off May 31 (Discovery). Atlantis is slated to launch Aug. 28, Endeavor Oct. 16. For full schedule, www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html (tickets $38 adults, $28 ages 3-11). Be sure to recheck launch dates; they often change. Also check Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for launch viewing packages as well as guest activities, 321-449-4444, www.kennedyspacecenter.com

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